New Zealand is a polio free country however there are still outbreaks in other countries. A person visiting New Zealand from one of these countries may have the virus in their gastrointestinal system/gut and infect someone who has not been immunised against polio.
In New Zealand the inactivated polio vaccine is usually administered in a three-dose series in the first year of life, followed by a booster dose around school entry age as part of the Infanrix®-IPV (DTaP-IPV) vaccine. A child having already had four polio vaccines is an uncommon situation but may occur for children vaccinated under an overseas schedule.
It is safe to administer a fifth dose of polio vaccine.
Boostrix® (Tdap) is available for private purchase. It does not have a polio component however when administered to children less than 10 years of age it must be prescribed by a Doctor outside of its license.
IPOL is used for primary and booster vaccination of infants, children and adults to protect against infection with Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 polioviruses causing poliomyelitis.
Infanrix®-IPV is used for primary and booster vaccination of infants and children up to their 7th birthday to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis.
Infanrix®-hexa is used for primary and booster vaccination of infants and children up to their 7th birthday to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b.
